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The impact of light quality and leaf wetness on photosynthesis in north-west Andean tropical montane cloud forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2005

Matthew Guy Letts  and
Mark Mulligan
Matthew Guy Letts
Affiliation:
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Research Group, Department of Geography, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
Mark Mulligan
Affiliation:
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Research Group, Department of Geography, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
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Abstract

Photosynthesis was limited by low-intensity photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and leaf wetness in a lower montane cloud forest (LMCF) of Cauca, Colombia. Mean PAR intensity remained below the saturation level for leaf-scale net photosynthesis (Pn) throughout the solar day during the wet season and for most of the solar day during the dry season. PAR represented a smaller fraction of total solar radiation (K↓) in LMCF than in lowland rain forest (LRF). In LMCF trees and shrubs, mean PAR-saturated Pn ranged from 4.3–10.6 μmol C m−2 s−1 at 1450 m, and from 3.5–10.2 μmol C m−2 s−1 at 2150 m. Pn was reduced by abaxial wetness in leaves of some trees and shrubs, and eliminated in others. This study indicates that persistent cloudiness and interception of cloud water by leaves limit LMCF productivity.

Keywords

AlloplectusAnthuriumCecropiaClusiaColombiaEcuadorlight limitationMiconiaPARPsychotria
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , September 2005 , pp. 549 - 557
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press

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